Transfer Planning for Outdoor Recreation

Transfer Planning for Outdoor Recreation, B.S.

SUNY Cortland recommends that students complete the following courses prior to transfer. The transfer credit limit from a 2-year college is 64 credits. Of those, 27 major-required credits can be transferred. Students who complete their General Education requirements prior to transfer will have their General Education requirements met at SUNY Cortland.

SUNY General Education
Cortland Degree Requirements	Complete at current college
Communication 1 (GEC1): CPN 100 Writing Studies I	________ (GE required)
Communication 2 (GEC2): CPN 101 Writing Studies II	________ (GE required)
Communication – Presentation (GECP): COM 210 Fundamentals of Public Speaking	________ (GE & major required)
Diversity: Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice (GEDI): REC 293 Diversity and Inclusive Recreation Services	________ (GE & major required)
Mathematics (GEMA):	________ (GE required)
Natural Sciences (GENS): GLY 261 Physical Geology (4 cr.)	________ (GE & major recommended)
Humanities (GEHU): REC 310 Wilderness & American Culture	________ (major required)
Social Sciences (GESS): EST 100 Introduction to Environmental Studies	________ (major required)
The Arts (GEAR):	_______________________
US History & Civic Engagement (GEUS):	_______________________
World History & Global Awareness (GEWH): REC 150 Play Across Cultures	________ (recommended for major)
World Languages (GEWL): (Sign language is acceptable)	_______ Level I (required for B.S.)

Additional Major-Requirements
Cortland Major Requirements	Complete at current college
REC 380 Leadership in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services	______________________
BIO 307 Field Natural History	______________________
Choose One: PED 157 Orienteering Activities for Educators, OR PED 181 Adventure Activities, OR PED 232 Scuba Level I, OR PED 300 Lifeguard Training I OR, REC 101 Recreation Activities, OR REC 102 Backpacking, OR REC 103 Canoeing, OR REC 104 Kayaking, OR REC 105 Windsurfing, OR REC 106 Rock Climbing, OR REC 107 Snowshoeing, OR REC 108 Cross-Country Skiing, OR REC 109 Winter Camping, OR REC 110 Bike Touring, OR REC 111 Snowboarding, OR REC 112 Downhill Skiing, OR REC 211 Adaptive Skiing and Snowboarding, OR REC 212 Ski & Ride Instructor Prep	______________________

OREC Outdoor Leadership Concentration option
Cortland Major Requirements	Complete at current college
REC 379 Outdoor Recreation Activities	______________________

*For more information about transfer equivalencies, please visit SUNY Transfer Path.

Outdoor Recreation

School of Professional Studies

The program requirements pertain to the Undergraduate Catalog and are intended as a guide for academic planning. Students currently on SUNY campuses should consult their academic advisor for additional choices in general education categories when any course is recommended.

To view all required courses for the program and Cortland’s General Education courses, see the most current undergraduate Catalog.
Students must choose a concentration for this program. You can choose from: Outdoor Leadership; Natural Resource Management; or Environmental and Cultural Interpretation.
Use the transfer equivalency tables to choose equivalents at your transfer college.
If you plan to transfer before you complete your associate’s degree, you can still earn your degree via Reverse Transfer.

About Outdoor Recreation

This major prepares you to lead, teach and steward the outdoors with skill and confidence. You'll build practical skills and professional judgement across outdoor leadership, natural resource recreation management, camp administration, and environmental/cultural interpretation. Opportunities for hands-on learning are offered at Cortland's outdoor centers and through field-based courses. Graduates step into roles with parks, camps, outdoor education programs, and nonprofits, or continue to graduate study.

Career Potential

Campus Outdoor Program Director
Environmental Educator
Interpretation Specialist (for environmental agencies)
State or National Park Manager
Camp Director
Adventure Program Coordinator/Wilderness Guide

What Will I Learn?

Knowledge, skills, and procedures for management level careers in outdoor recreation
Leadership in conservation and sustainability management
Inclusive program design for diverse populations and outdoor settings
Safe and inclusive management of resources and programs, recreation planning, camp operations, and visitor experience design.

Applying to Cortland

SUNY Cortland accepts the Common Application and the SUNY Online application. Choose just one way to apply; both require a $50 non-refundable application fee.
If you apply to Cortland using the SUNY application, SUNY will waive the $50 application fee for transfer students graduating with an associate degree from a SUNY or CUNY college, who apply directly to Cortland for baccalaureate programs.
Fall applicants should apply by June 1. Spring applications should apply by November 1.
After applying, students must send transcripts from all colleges attended and a high school transcript.